USC Safety Dion Bailey: `Nobody Gives Us A Chance’

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USC safety Dion Bailey said everyone believes Stanford is going to beat the Trojans on Saturday.

“Nobody gives us a chance to win,” Bailey said. “We’re 7-3. They’re 9-1. Who would you pick on paper?” Full story here

25 thoughts on “USC Safety Dion Bailey: `Nobody Gives Us A Chance’”

  2. Well, SC has a chance, but Stanford has a better chance: A more mature club, smart quarterback, and strong line play.

    SC probably will not have many opportunities to even see the ball with the “Trees” not going out on any limbs to surprise, but just simply playing keep-away with the pigskin.

    • SC has a decent chance to win given that we are getting better under Ed and Stanford is coming of a huge emotional game last week, is playing on the road and already showed it can struggle in their loss at Utah.

  3. I’ll give the Agin’ Cajun credit for being intuitive (can’t bring myself to say “smart”) enough to foster the us against the world theme. In my vast experience this effect can last teams about 4 games before bitter reality sets in.

    Kind of like how T-Fail finally realized he was a woman trapped inside a man’s flabby body, or when Nubs realized he was never going to live in Newport, I mean Manhattan Beach with Lolo I mean Jojo!

  4. Tough to imagine Shaw letting his team get upset twice this year. I think SC keeps it close, but not sure they have the muscle at line positions to pull off a win here. They will have to play nearly flawless to have a real chance, and Cody will have will them to victory– this isn’t a game they win on the ground.

    I do know this, if they are playing well and keeping it close, the coli will be ROCKING. The Standford game in 2011 when Robey had that pick 6– OMG did that place fly off the chains.

      • The coli doesn’t always get loud, but when it does, there is none louder in college football. Saturday could be one of those days.

    • I agree that big plays will need to be made in the pass game but the run game will have to be firmly established. The O-line will have to play the game of their lives. If they can avoid their typical mistakes of false starts & missed assignments (specifically Aundrey Walker) then SC will win.

    • Leonard Williams has got to be huge in this game. I just hope his shoulder injury isn’t very debilitating. I read he needs to have surgery after this season. Their TE’s aren’t as good as they used to be, but Cajuste seems to be their go to guy for long pass plays. Got to cover him well. Make them kick field goals, convert our 3rd downs on O and hope the D line isn’t gassed out in the 4th Q.

  5. SC needs to get ahead early IMHO. Playing Stanford from behind is never easy. Add to that an injured Leonard Williams and no Morgan Breslin the D could wear down in the 2nd half. That is Stanford’s specialty. May need to pull out the stops and throw downfield to Lee and Agholor in the 1st half off play action. Could come down to `Heidari.

    • Prob you’re right about Stanford’s ability to ‘wear down’ an opponent. That very point was made a week ago tonight against OR = their (Stanford) ‘phone booth’ O-line.

      UT was a shock to Stanford and UT doesn’t have the talent USC has – I look for an aggressive defense on USC’s part right from the start to make Stanford change their blocking schemes and by extension their play book – control the run and force Hogan to the air.

      All games are decided in the 2nd half but the true champions understand what needs to be changed and those who don’t lose

      • Agree with that. This is the type of game that the scholarship restrictions really hurt. The talent is there to beat Stanford. That isn’t the issue. It may come down to depth, conditioning and a timely FG from Heidari.

        • Kiffin’s firing came just in time to allow those ignored to make their presence know – USC has great depth at running back.

          Oh man did you see the blunt assessment in today’s Times by Orgeron per Heidari? Troy is holding it’s collective breath if it comes down to that. Frankly if things go sideways to a close finish – three losses could be pinned on Heidari

          • If it does, I hope the kid makes it. Would say the same for the Stanford kicker too. Hate to see a college kid miss a pivotal kick…unless it’s against the Bruins of course…my one exception.

    • I think even if SC goes up 14-0, Stanford stays true to running the ball. Especially with USC’s depth problems on the D line they probably feel they can make up 2 TD’s in the 4th Q. Stnford reminds me a little of the 49ers this year. When the run they ball, they win. When the ask the QB to win the game for them , they lose. Shaw might be a tad smarter than Greg Roman.

  6. Stanford is definitely physical, but if they play (on offense) against USC the way they played against Oregon, at least it will serve the function of slowing the game way down and shortening it up. While I wouldn’t advise USC allowing Stanford to convert on every single third down opportunity like Oregon allowed, having a shorter game will play into USC’s hands a little bit. I also agree with others that it’s muuuuuuuch easier to play Stanford when you have a lead, as their bruising style can take a toll on you. I say make them pass the ball (maybe roll coverage to Torin Harris’ side so he’s not continually burned). Also, the defense has to make sure Hogan doesn’t scramble for first downs. If you get pressure on him, you have to make sure you contain… and then tackle. Oregon was repeatedly burned by little seven yard scrambles on 3rd and 6 when everything else was covered. Last thing… USC seems to get burned on a regular basis on those seam routes by the tight ends. It’s how Stanford beat us last year and how ASU got major chunks of yardage against us this year. It’s essential that Pendergast find a way to get those routes covered, or it’s going to be a long day!

  7. This game wlll come down to line play. I’m worried about USC’s O Line and the ability to run the football. Audrey Walker better grow up as a player fast or it’ll be a long Saturday.

    Then, especially with Breslin out, USC HAS to pressure the QB and dominate the D line.

    This one is gonna be a trenches game. USC has a chance but has to pick up its line play pretty significantly to get this one.

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